"We have developed the word's first shoe that is made with 100% natural materials."
Alejandro Moreno is a Colombian Leaders in Innovation Fellowships and Frontiers of Engineering alumnus. He has developed an innovative product made from the Colombian fique plant, which can be used to produce vegan leather and packaging materials, that might otherwise be made from plastic.
We interviewed Alex about his innovation, experience of LIF and his tips for fellow innovators:
Can you briefly describe your innovation and tell us what inspired you to create it?
My innovation is a non-woven textile process using fibre from the fique plant and latex from the rubber tree. The patented compostable non-woven textile materials have several applications in different industries including packing, home cleaning products, wrapping for the cut flower market, and vegan leather for the automotive and shoe industry, among others.
I lived in the UK for many years and circular economy was a concept that was widely discussed, however, in practise many industries still haven’t implemented it yet. This is the case for fique plants in Colombia, which create the coffee sacks for the millions of kilograms of coffee exported each year.
I was inspired by the levels and impact of plastic pollution to develop a technology using raw materials that is sustainable, renewable and above all, compostable. I started experimenting with materials and developed a compostable vegan leather.
What is the main thing you learnt through the LIF training and follow-on support?
Coming from a background in R&D (research and development), the business development support from the LIF programme was of great value. In particular, I learned a lot about the importance of a proper business plan.
Additionally, the follow-on support from my mentor has been great. She has really invested in me, helping to improve my business plan and financial projections. She has also given me great advice, particularly regarding negotiations, which previously I would have said was a weakness.
As a result, I am much more confident now, especially when I network with potential investors and participate in exhibitions.
What impact has LIF had on your business?
The big impact is the way that clients and potential investors see you. Recognition from the Academy and being part of the LIF community gives status to your work.
Additionally, as a result of the programme, my business model has improved, for example before I had a B2C model but now I have pivoted to B2B. I have also become more analytical with my own decisions.
What stage are you at now and what are your future plans?
I created my own company in November 2017 under the name FIQUETEX S.A.S (Sustainable Non-Woven Textiles). We have the expertise, the know-how, two patents of invention for 20 years and products developed and ready to be commercialised.
Fiquetex is a disruptive technology ready to be launched into the market. By combining the two patents – a vegan leather and a natural rubber outsole with treated coffee husks as a filler - we have developed the world’s first shoe that is made with 100% natural materials.
We are now looking for investment of £1.3 million to help us set up our production line in Colombia, in a small town in the municipality of Medellin.
Has your innovation had any impact in your country or abroad?
The real impact is the solution to the plastic problem. As one example, we have developed a natural material to produce carrier bags that replaces the plastic, cotton and paper alternatives.
Once the production line has started working, we predict that Fiquetex could sequester 11,000 tons of CO₂ from the environment by the company’s fourth year.
Have you had any recognition for your work since LIF?
My work has been published in the Colombian newspaper El Espectador. I have been interviewed by national radio stations and presented on the Circular Economy at one of the Academy’s Frontiers of Engineering events, as well as universities, technological centers and governmental bodies.
The coffee husk filler patent also won a prize at the Inventor of The Year 2016 at the Chambers Industry and Commerce, Colombia (Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio).
What tips for success would you give to your fellow innovators and researchers?
My main tips are:
- Perseverance is the key to success; be very cautious with your research, giving away important information might end up in you losing the opportunity to patent your idea.
- Prepare for plenty of frustration but above all, believe in yourself.
- All this work is really hard, especially since we can’t see the future, but if you’re going to engage in a business that involves production or needs a patent, make sure you have someone to back you up with money.
For more information on Alejandro’s innovation, have a look at the below articles (in Spanish):
https://www.elespectador.com/economia/el-colombiano-que-invento-un-cuero-vegano-articulo-886690